u/Gypsyrawr

Women in my family have always been hairy, masculine, strong, and tenacious. Female cousins had to shave beards after puberty, and getting pregnant took time that sometimes ended in heartache. My large extended family all assumed this is just how we are. "We come from poor farmers so of course this makes sense" is how it was explained to me.

Growing up I wanted to be known as willow-y and feminine, not for the girl who everyone asks to lift stuff for them. This PCOS diagnosis REALLY helped me mentally. I cant put my finger on it, but it really made me feel seen. I love being here and listening to your experiences. I dont feel alone. I dont feel like "the poor farmer" girl. I feel weirdly empowered. I now know there are treatments for the least desirable issues, though nothing is perfect.

Thank you guys for being alive and being here with me. I want to give you all a hug.

I amconflicted about treating my high testosterone levels. I know treating it will stop me from growing an Amish beard, and the cystic acne will go away, but I have been managing those for years on my own and have found peace with it.

What other things would treating it change? I already have androgynous bone structure but the ship's sailed on that one. If it magically made me grow big books I would be so down but I doubt it